Painless Grammar

by Rebecca S. Elliott

This very approachable text combines instruction in parts of speech and sentence structure with down-to-earth examples, funny illustrations, and examination of some of the more amusing and peculiar words in the English language. A chapter on clear e-mail communication and etiquette is brand new in this edition, as are many of the author’s challenging “Brain Ticklers.” Her helpful chapter on how to edit a school paper has also been heavily revised and updated.

Barron’s popular Painless Series of study guides for middle school and high school students offer a lighthearted, often humorous approach to their subjects, transforming details that might once have seemed boring or difficult into a series of interesting and mentally challenging ideas. Most titles in the series feature many fun-to-solve “Brain Tickler” problems with answers at the end of each chapter.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction, Education, Language, School, Teaching

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book to brush up on my grammar. Even though I tend to think I do an okay job with it, there are a lot of things about grammar that I would like to know--like independent and dependent clauses. Things they sort of brushed over in high school but never really went into, at least not well enough for me to remember it. This book is more for younger audiences (I'd say late elementary school to early high school, maybe) but I still enjoyed it. The author use humor and tried to keep the rules simple and used a ton of examples to make sure you understand it. She also included some worksheets and answers to help you see how well you learned the material. While most of this wasn't anything new, I did learn a few new things and refreshed my memory on some old material.

Anyone who suffers from grammar errors should pick up this book, no matter their age. I plan to get this book for my younger sister, who has problems with it. The author covers nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, and how to use each, as well as punctuation, clauses, complete sentences, verb/noun agreement, commonly misused words, and how to successfully edit and make your writing polished.

Favorite part of the book:

I am swimming TOWARD the shark's tummy. Oops.
I am swimming AWAY FROM the shark's tummy as fast as I can.
I am swimming INSIDE the shark's tummy. Bummer.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of my students really seemed to better understand the ideas I kept repeating to them from the few pages I copied and shared with them. I suggested that if this book's explanations made more sense to them, they should go online and purchase it. Of course, I told them that it is not an official textbook or university endorsed, necessarily, but if it makes sense, it may be worth it to them. The examples are somewhat shorter, and the author gives numerous "fixes" rather than one or two, which helps a great deal, I think.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have atrocious grammar. I read this book to help fix some of my most heinous sentence butchering. Probably hasn't worked. Decidedly not the fault of Rebecca Elliott, Ph.D. Her book is easy to read, easy to understand, and provides helpful exercises. I'm lazy. I fully intend to read through this book from time to time for: New Year's resolutions, bouts of self doubt, boredom, self improvement, snobbery.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grammar goddess I am not. However, of all the grammar books I have trialed, this one has been the easiest to navigate and the most helpful. It has become well used and one of the few books that are never far from where I write.

[Cathy Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my grammar book of choice. Easy to read and find what I need. Truly painless!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these easy to understand books on English grammar, as a non native, there’s a few things that are hard to grasp, no matter how many great teachers you have. Sometimes is really just a matter of an example, and who better than an English native to make me see clearly what I struggle with. I always get something new from these books, stuff that I have a hard time explaining myself and then I see examples or explanations and it all makes so much sense. This was amazing because it’s aimed at kids, so it’s really very easy to understand if English is a second language. It’ll give you specific pointers for every single grammar structure, punctuation, and editing.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to brush up on your English grammar in today's world of shortcuts based on social media? Or to get youth more on track with proper grammar? This book covers the basic rules and has reinforcing exercises. It is very handy.

[Kendra]

Simple

[Madam Book Worm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me years to read this book. I would pick it up and put it down. I learned a tiny bit of things but it’s not a book I’d recommend or keep on my bookshelf because it’s not as “painless” as the title suggests. I did like the brain ticklers exercises that were designed to apply what was read at the end of each chapter.

[Suzanne Arcand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very usefull book and entertaining at the same time.

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was great! I read it as a school assignment and I was worried that it would be a boring book talking about grammer. I hate grammer, but I enjoyed how this book explained everything. It had a different twist to the other grammer books I've read. I understand grammer much better now, and it's very easy to look back through for reference. The mini practices throughout the book also helped make sure I had ab understanding that let's me fix the mistakes.

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! I learned some good things and reviewed things I had forgotten. Great learning tool!

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this again to brush up on my grammar for my English minor. Overall, the author presented each content with clear, humorous examples going over nouns, verbs, conjunction, preposition, interjection, syntax, symbols, confusing words, and email etiquette. The book seems to be geared for middle school students. (Some of these materials are also presented in elementary school.) It is a thorough book, but more reference and examples may be necessary for students to advance.

The "Brain Ticklers" at the end of each section include excellent explanations and are some of the most useful sections. Personally, I feel that the "wrong" examples were too blatantly wrong and not as useful as the "good", concise examples. I do wish that the author had spent more time on the different perfect and progressive tenses (these were all introduced in one page). With readers who are less interested in being entertained and more interested in grammar, it is noticeable that the author digresses. In addition, some materials, such as appositive, are quickly interjected.

Certainly, this book is comparatively expressive, but it is more of a short starting guide. The readers will need to learn where to direct their focus, to understand each example, and possibly to seek other other grammar books as supplements. With that in mind, the book is a decent review for more advanced students and a great companion book for new students.

[J.D. Steens · Rating 3 out of 5]

As books on English mechanics go, this is the best one I've come across. With all of the exceptions to the rules in English (e.g., "Inanimate objects usually don't own things, but some possessives are okay."), it's an oversell to say this is "painless grammar." Even so, the author's presentation is straightforward without getting caught up in technical-sounding terminology that often afflict books on English.

The author writes, "in England it is acceptable to put the period outside the quotation mark, but this style is not acceptable in the United States." Who makes such determinations is not clear.

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for middle school and high school students, Painless Grammar claims to be "an enoyable, completely painless examination of parts of speech, sentence construction, and punctuation." On first glance it does appear fun to read, but in reality it's rather tedious. It does cover the basics, though, and for a book on grammar it is relatively understandable. Perhaps as a textbook, supplement, or reference it'd be fine. Just don't expect to enjoy it!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I'd never say grammar is "painless." But at least this book spells things out pretty clearly. It's actually written at a level a jr. high student would understand, and it covers common mistakes as well. It was helpful.
-e
Big take-away: Quite a bit actually...choosing one...Possessives of pural subjects (Apparently, it depends on if the subjects share the same object(s) or if they each have their own.) I guess I've been getting that wrong all along. ;P

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title definitely describes the book's content. This is a handy reference to keep on your shelf and it clearly explain s a lot of the grammar foibles so many of us make (darn you bad/badly)! I particularly like the section titled, "The Top Goofs in Students' Writing." I may use some of this author's tips to help my students understand more about the writing process.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource, much easier to use than the Chicago Manual of Style. It's not as comprehensive but it's written for the average person and not professionals. The explanations are clear, simple, to the point and written with humor. It never patronizes or condescends. I borrowed this from the library but I'll be buying my own copy.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I like reading reference books, especially when I'm waiting for a book to arrive from Amazon. I picked it up looking for a few specific answers and then got interested in the whole thing. Helpful little book to brush up on those long forgotten grammar rules.

[Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this book and I would highly recommend this to Mrs. Browning because it is all about grammar usage. There also is Painless Vocabulary, which you can buy at Costco for $6.00(which is $4.00 cheaper than the full $10.00)

[Brandon Baggett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, this book isn't bad for those who want to improve their writing skills. It has everything from basic grammar skills to how one can proof read and improve his papers. This book also helped me prepare for the ACT English section.

[Katelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really dont like this book. I don't like grammar to begin with. But the books level is for a first grader sometimes and then a 12 th grader other times. I'm in 10th grade, so I am bored to death reading what a noun is and then all the sudden cant figure out what an antecedent is.

[Mona Caber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Painless Grammar is an easy and comprehensive way to structure ones grammar. It's a good book for someone who needs a sharp and quick review in grammar, as well as for someone who needs major help without the clutter of a huge textbook.

[Tess Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well...considering this is a book about grammar, I'm sure my review speaks for itself. I learned some new techniques and I was updated on older ones. It was an average read, and luckily entertaining enough that it allowed me to survive long enough just in time for the school year (yay... ;P).

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are having so much fun so far!! A great volume to help anyone understand how Grammar works, and a reminder for those who already know a lot about it. We laughed a lot but also learned a lot as well. Very well done and we already love this author!

[Micha Meinderts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book that is obviously for kids. I didn't learn all that much new stuff but it was still nice to be refreshed.

[Robin DeJarnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book - lots of grammar rules and tips, along with many hilarious examples. A wonderful reference for any writer.

[Kiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have done great things for the young students in my English Class, here in Puerto Rico!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a kid's book, but oh well :)

[yengyeng · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this book is trying to be reassuring, but the idea of painless grammar is an oxymoron.